Umle is a gust of fresh air in a genre of music known for its smooth eclectic sounds and effervescent instrumentals. And so it was that on the 16th of October 2011 this three-man band introduced themselves on the Kulcha Taste stage, in East London, as a part of their nationwide tour. They plan to share their music with the people of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, before they bring it back home. The event was staged by newcomer poet Nomtha and renowned author and poet Ntsika Tyatya.

The organizer, Unathi Yola Kupa, welcomes everyone to this leg of the tour and hands over the stage to Nomtha, who offers her poetry slowly and delicately. She is followed by Umle.
They offer a fusion of ethnic sounds and slowly sow their tracks in the plantations of the listener’s mind. This music has not been violated by western influences. The band has been likened to another Soweto trio, The Soil, but their melodies are supported by the strumming of guitar strings. The members; Thando, Spamandla and Feido are born and buttered from eBhayi.
Umle is a well-composed collective; their sound is complemented by the vintage styling of checkered blazers and bowties, which makes them a sweet treat to the ear as well as the eye. They are comfortable on the small stage and the pleasure they get in making their music soon seeps out to the audience.

Described by an online publication as “a fella who has been touching souls everywhere he goes since he started putting his pen to a pad”, Ntsika is an author and poet of note. He opens with a line from his recent book; Memoirs: “Word is power”. This is the message in his new book, a continuation from his popular first anthology An Autobiography of A Suicide Survivor.
“Words have the power to create, especially when articulated by you”.
His enthusiasm on stage is a reflection of the experiences he’s had and how he has handled them. The same experiences have driven him to write imaginatively and vividly, and also to recite in a powerful voice.
As he recites, I note how he softly and confidently treads on the issue of acceptance, saying that “everyone is unique and should embrace that about themselves”. He ventures deeper into this line of thought in verse, citing the differences we each have when it comes to academics and sports. He holds nothing back and makes a point of how society and its assumed civilities has corrupted our minds, although he does not lose sight of the message; people must identify what they are good at find ways and means to grow that art within themselves.

When the sun has set, the night turned silent and the instruments have been put away I make a wish; for more people to accustom themselves to such unconventional wisdoms that today’s performers live by.